Week One Swift Student
Topic 27167 | Page 1
Greetings TT! My first 70 hours after over and I am on my 34. Days 1, 2, and 3 were quite a shock having to attack cabbage hill, chain up in snow, and generally adjust to a new lifestyle. Here's some general stats and observations...
Solo miles driven 3179. Yeah, nearly 3200 solo miles. 61.59 hours of driving in my 70. Showers taken 4. States visited Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Washington. Truck accidents 1. We passed by after a truck had gone around a corner to fast. Backing skills experience 8, mostly alley dock. Now we are going to team and run Walmart dedicated until my hours stre finished. Wish me luck!
- Blair
Congratulations and Glad your living the dream. Hope it goes by fast. Why did you chose Swift? I am looking to start my career and would like to pick your brain.
Stay safe and warm.
Mike.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Mike, Thank you for the encouragement. I live in PHX where many terminals and logistics offices are. I had been lurking here for years, and have two friends that successfully drive for CR england. My homework really clarified most "starter" companies are very very very similar in pay and overall benefit packages.
Criteria for me was fairly straight forward: Swift offers an evening traininf program in PHX, so you can continue to work if necessary. Swift offers free undergrad programs, and has a ton of opportunities along with various incentives. I wanted to look beyond just CPM for overall compensation. In my opinion, CPM doesnt tell the whole story. I would gladly take a few less CPM for a degree with unlimited earning potential. Each person will have different priorities.
Overall Swift has current equipment, good trainers, and wants people to be safe. At least those are the rose-coloroed glasses I have on right now. Ask me again after pulling Walmart DC freight for the rest of my mentor training. 
-Blair
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I wish you well on this. I still have to get out of CDL A, DOT Physical and the nightmare of dealing with DMV and MedExpress screwing up my permit. College degrees are overrated. Manage your finances just right and lots of jobs have earning potential. Please keep updating. You need to know how much information like this helps us that are navigating the process. I appreciate it. JRH
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Greetings TT! My first 70 hours after over and I am on my 34. Days 1, 2, and 3 were quite a shock having to attack cabbage hill, chain up in snow, and generally adjust to a new lifestyle. Here's some general stats and observations...
Solo miles driven 3179. Yeah, nearly 3200 solo miles. 61.59 hours of driving in my 70. Showers taken 4. States visited Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Washington. Truck accidents 1. We passed by after a truck had gone around a corner to fast. Backing skills experience 8, mostly alley dock. Now we are going to team and run Walmart dedicated until my hours stre finished. Wish me luck!
- Blair